Date: 27 Jan 2012 23:49 Title: The Dating Game
Ok, I really liked the exploration of Aurellan trying to date. The fact she set to it like a task and selected the best choice for the date and must have read up on dating etiquette. I don't think the Big Bang Theory opening however helped proceedings because it took me out and it seemed as though you were trying to ape Amy or Shelby. However, when I cut that out and focus on the story content it serves as a really awkward moment for Aurellan, on her path to adulthood, to social understandings and to understanding herself. That was fascinating and the awkward way in which the date went and how she didn't even register anger at being the butt of a frat joke showed her difficulties with social interactions. All very in keeping with her established character - especially going back to this early timeframe. So good job on that front.
Author's Response: Sorry you didn't care much for the opening sequence. I figured it an appropriate metaphor for going from outside observer of social phenomenon to being a participant. And I figured I'd throw it in with the story being loosely based on an episode of "Blossom" who was also played by Mayim Bialik. But I'm glad you still enjoyed the major premise of the story, of someone who struggles with social interactions and with being a college freshman at age of 15, so neither makes her very many friends. And her lack of an emotional response is another one of those traits of persons with AS while still trying to master some kind of middle ground between the two extremes.
Date: 26 Jan 2012 20:10 Title: The Dating Game
Gosh E1981, that read like a page out of a high school diary, and I've been out of high school for over three decades now.
Certainly a different take on the challenge, but well within the established parameters. Kudos for thinking outside of the box much more so than the rest of us. ;-)
Perhaps, this warrants a sequel, when Aurellan does hit the magical age of eighteen and she and Gavin can then revisit their date - assuming either is still interested in pursuing it. It could be interesting to see how someone with AS would go about the complicated emotional and physical aspects of dating.
Hopefully this little incident will bring Aurellan and Phoebe closer together, as they each learned something important and powerful about the other.
LBD
PS Loved the nod to BBT - that's one of my favorite episodes. :D
Author's Response: Thanks, LBD. It's not exactly something one would find in Trek-lore, it is certainly a pivotal moment in Aurellan Markalis's adolescence. My earlier stories have mentioned that she has Asperger's syndrome, so the social protocols of dating don't come so easily for her. And for older readers who might not have noticed, this story was also loosely based on an episode of "Blossom"-- the title character also played by Mayim Bialik. She rehearsed herself saying, "Someday when I'm 22 and you're 26 or 27 or 28, we'll be perfect for each other" and the guy calls her saying exactly that. It was for comic effect, of course, but the line would have made more sense if Aurellan's date was a human-alien hybrid. And maybe I will add a sequel in my ST: Lambda Paz pre-launch stories.
[Report This]Date: 26 Jan 2012 18:46 Title: The Dating Game
It's certainly different to the other stories and that's no bad thing. Get a real feel for this character, she did feel real to me anyway which I think's a sign of good penmanship. You're right in that even in the 24C people can still be unkind and cruel. I can't see the utopia Rodenberry wrote as being totally realistic. I think conflict will exist in one form forever.
A sweet story, yes as Jesp says and thoughtful too. Good job
Author's Response: Well thanks, Mack. The lesson here is that the more things change, the more they the same. Adolescence will still be that point in a people's live where they're finding their identity. But at least two of the major characters show their humanity and strive to do better each day, which the Star Trek universe has always illustrated in clever ways.
Date: 25 Jan 2012 22:23 Title: The Dating Game
Not sure what to make of this story, all I know is that it didn't grab me because it seemed too soap-like. Aurelian is good being plain old Aurelian and trying to socialize better, but dating and romance doesn't seem to work with this character. Just everything feels wooden about it...
Author's Response: Oh, well. I figured that since most of the others were about life defining epiphanies, that I would do a less serious story with a story of someone learning a painful about how different doing and observing are.
Date: 24 Jan 2012 13:33 Title: The Dating Game
I'm glad she got her (somewhat) happy ending.
I do hope she realizes that Phoebe - someone who Aurelian seems to have thought not worthy of friendship - really did right by her. Sisterhood is powerful.
Thanks for a sweet story, a portrait of a young lady finding her way in a confusing world.
Author's Response: Thanks, jespah. I immediately thought of a story like when this challenge was first posted. Even in the 24th century, young men and women still be unkind and even cruel to the socially awkward and still succumb to peer pressure. Not of the drug and alcohol use variety, but of playing cruel pranks on the naive and introverted. At least Gavin was willing to admit the error of his ways, and Aurellan saw Phoebe as the type to bully girls like her, but was surprised by an unexpected act of kindness.